ULFA denies hand in Guwahati serial blasts

The ULFA on Thursday denied involvement in the November five blasts that killed 14 people in Guwahati.

The ULFA on Thursday denied involvement in the November five blasts that killed 14 people in Guwahati and alleged that the "Indian machinery" was responsible for them.

In the latest edition of its mouthpiece Freedom, the ULFA said the "bomb blasts in Guwahati city were carried out by the Indian machinery with an intention to extend the ban on the outfit and start military operations against it".

The blasts, it said, were followed by the visit of Union Home Secretary VK Duggal, who as a "measure to punish the ULFA, had ordered military operations with the deployment of 19 additional security companies".

Claiming that authorities had blamed the ULFA without a proper investigation, it demanded that the Centre come up with a fresh proposal to hold talks centering on the "sovereignty" of Assam through the People's Consultative Group.

Though the ULFA wanted a political solution and negotiations, its "struggle would continue", the group said.

Stating that it was aware of the latest round of talks between central government officials and Assamese writer Indira Goswami and PCG member Rebati Phukan, the ULFA said, "The attempt to restart the peace process was for the fraudulent endeavour to hold the ensuing Republic Day celebrations without any hindrance."

Stating that the ULFA had a "soft stand" towards Assam Police, the group warned the force for the "draconian attitude it had adopted of late".

The ULFA alleged the Assam Police had recently recruited 1,500 civilians to work as informers against the banned group.